The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team swept the home-opening series against two GLIAC opponents in two non-conference matchups. The Lakers won the home opener 2-0 against Saginaw Valley State and beat Ohio Dominican 4-0 in the second match.

In the first game, the Lakers did all of their damage in the first half, scoring twice and letting the defense do the rest.

Kevin Sielaff

GVL/Kevin Sielaff - Alexis Dandridge (29). The Lakers defeat the Panthers of Ohio Dominican with a final score of 4-0 on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 in Allendale.

GVSU’s Sara Stevens opened the scoring with a breakaway goal after a lob pass past the defense from Marti Corby. Stevens finished off a play with a shot to the low-left side of the goal to give the Lakers the early lead.

“Marti played a really good ball in over the top of (the defense),” Stevens said. “I was able to settle it down and saw the keeper was out, so I picked a corner and hit it there.”

With less than 15 minutes left in the half, GVSU’s leading goal-scorer Jayma Martin converted on a penalty shot. This would be all the Laker defense would need, holding the Cardinals to five shots for the game.

“(Stevens) obviously gave us a huge spark because we were not playing well to start the match,” said Jeff Hosler, GVSU head coach. “That goal gives us a little bit of confidence when we were struggling in our possession.”

Possession was not an issue for the Lakers in the second game of the series. GVSU kept the ball in the offensive end of the field for most of the game, firing 38 shots compared to Ohio Dominican’s two.

“They were more low-pressure than our opponent Friday, but at the same time our decision and execution (making) were really sharp,” Hosler said.

Clare Carlson opened up the scoring for the Lakers with a goal directly off a blocked shot after a GVSU corner kick. Five minutes later, GVSU’s leading scorer Martin headed the ball into the net after a Tara Lierman cross. Martin is now tied for the most goals in the GLIAC with seven on the season.

“It doesn’t surprise me that she’s had success she’s had statistically,” Hosler said. “But it’s not just what she does in terms of her assists and goals, but her ability to be dynamic on the wing, turn players and really relieve some pressure from our backs.”

The Lakers tallied one more goal before the end of the half on Kendra Stauffer’s fourth goal of the season. Corby played a chip pass to Stauffer over the Panthers’ defensive wall on a free kick. Stauffer’s first shot attempt was blocked by a defender, but she gathered the rebound and scored on her second attempt.

“We were more accurate with our passes, and we just kept the tempo and kept the ball,” Corby said. “It really pushed us forward and gave us momentum into the final third.”

GVSU added some insurance in the second half with a goal from freshman Charley Campbell on a cross from Gabriella Mencotti.

The Lakers will officially start conference play next weekend in a two-game road trip in the Upper Peninsula. GVSU will face off against Northern Michigan Friday, Sept. 23 and Michigan Tech Sunday, Sept. 25.